Spooky-Cute Halloween Decor in Under an Hour? Yes, Please!
Let’s be real: you love Halloween. You want your home to feel festive, charming, and just a little bit haunted. But you don’t have all weekend to sand, stain, and assemble elaborate props.
Good news: you don’t need to.
With just a few wood slices, a paintbrush, and 15 minutes, you can create ghostly decor that’s equal parts adorable and atmospheric. No power tools. No complicated patterns. Just simple, satisfying crafts that deliver maximum Halloween spirit with minimal effort.
This guide gives you 32 of the easiest ghost wood crafts—all tested for speed, simplicity, and style. Whether you’re crafting solo, with kids, or prepping for a last-minute party, these projects are your shortcut to a spooktacular home.
So grab that white paint, fluff your favorite sweater, and let’s make some ghosts—fast.
The Simple Silhouette Squad — One-Cut Wonders
Start with the classics. These ghosts are cut once, painted once, and ready to haunt.
1. The Classic Casper Cutout
Trace a swooping ghost shape (like a rounded “M” with a tail) onto 1/4” plywood or a craft wood sheet. Cut it out (or ask your hardware store to do it), paint it white, add two black dot eyes and a smile. Hang it on your door, window, or porch with twine. Done in 10 minutes.
No saw? Use pre-cut ghost shapes from craft stores or printable templates with transfer paper.
2. The Stacked Spirit Family
Glue 2–3 wood rounds (or blocks) in descending sizes—big on bottom, small on top. Paint the whole stack white. Add simple eyes and smiles. Instant ghost family for your mantel or shelf. Adorable, cohesive, and takes 5 minutes to assemble.
3. The Mini Boo Brigade
Cut (or buy) tiny ghost shapes—1–2” tall. Paint them white, add faces, punch a hole at the top, and string them on ribbon or jute. Drape over a mirror, bookshelf, or Halloween tree. A garland that screams “Boo!” without the fuss.
4. The Peeking Plaque
Paint a rectangular wood plaque black or dark gray. Cut a small ghost shape and glue it so it’s “peeking” over the top edge or around the side. Add a phrase like “Something’s Watching…” for extra charm. Subtle, clever, and shelf-ready.
Paint & Proceed — Effortless Expressions
If you’ve got paint and pre-cut wood, you’re already halfway there.
5. The Wood Slice Specter
Grab a pre-sanded wood slice (3–5” wide). Paint it white. Add two dot eyes and a shy smile. That’s it. Lean it on your coffee table, tuck it into a centerpiece, or hang it with ribbon. Rustic, cute, and ridiculously fast.
6. The “Boo” Block
Paint three wood blocks white. On each, paint one letter: B – O – O. Add a ghost face below each letter. Line them up on your entry table or mantel. It’s literal, lovable, and takes 15 minutes flat.
7. The Spooky Season Sign
Take a pre-made wood sign that says “Spooky Season” or “Happy Halloween.” Paint a small ghost in the corner—maybe holding a pumpkin or waving. Instant personality upgrade with zero extra work.
8. The Frightful Fence
Buy a mini wooden picket fence (craft stores sell them!). Paint a row of simple ghost faces along the top slats—just eyes and smiles. Prop it on your porch or in a planter. A whole haunted scene in under 20 minutes.
No-Cut Creations — Working With What You Have
No saw? No problem. These use ready-made wood shapes.
9. The Spool Spirit
Grab an old wooden thread spool. Paint it white. Add eyes and a mouth. Drape a scrap of white fabric or cheesecloth over the top for a “floating” effect. A vintage ghost with zero cutting required.
10. The Orb Ghost
Paint a friendly face on a pre-cut wood ball or ornament. Add blush cheeks with pink paint. Hang it from a tree branch or use as a tree ornament. Round, sweet, and impossibly simple.
11. The Blocky Boo
Take a standard 2×2 or 4×4 block. Paint it white. Add minimalist eyes and a straight-line mouth. For a modern look, leave the wood grain peeking through. Display on a desk or shelf—it’s ghost-meets-Scandinavian.
12. The Peg Doll Phantom
Paint a wooden peg doll white. Add two dot eyes and a tiny “O” mouth. Optional: glue on a mini black hat. These pocket-sized ghosts are perfect for cake toppers, gift tags, or desk buddies.
Five-Minute Phantoms — Ultra-Fast Finishes
Seriously—set a timer. You’ll be done before it beeps.
13. The Spoon Specter
Paint a ghost face on a wooden spoon. Hang it from a cupboard handle, stick it in a potted plant, or lean it on a shelf. Quirky, kitchen-friendly, and done while your coffee brews.
14. The Clothespin Apparition
Paint a ghost face on a wooden clothespin. Clip it to curtains, wreaths, garlands, or even your kid’s Halloween costume. Reusable, lightweight, and endlessly versatile.
15. The Stick-On Sticker Ghost
Buy vinyl ghost stickers (or cut them from adhesive paper). Stick them onto stained or painted wood blocks. No paint, no mess—just instant ghost decor. Perfect for renters or last-minute needs.
16. The Marker-Drawn Marauder
Use a black paint pen to draw ghost faces directly on sealed wood slices. No brushes, no cleanup. Great for kids or when you’re down to your last craft minute.
Glue-&-Go Groupings — Simple Assemblies
A little glue = a lot of charm.
17. The Twig-Cross Ghost
Glue two twigs into a cross shape. Glue a small wood slice (painted as a ghost head) at the top. Lean it in a vase or on a shelf. Natural, earthy, and hauntingly simple.
18. The Yarn-Wrapped Wraith
Wrap a wood slice or block tightly with white yarn. Glue on two black felt circles for eyes. Soft, textural, and cozy—like a ghost who loves knitting.
19. The Ribbon-Bound Spirit
Tie a wide white ribbon around a wood block, letting it drape down like a ghostly tail. Add eyes with a paint pen. Elegant, no-paint, and ready in 3 minutes.
20. The Beaded Boo
String a small wood bead (head) and a larger white bead (body) onto a headpin or wire. Add eyes with a marker. Hang as an ornament or from a mobile. Tiny, tinkly, and totally cute.
Spooky Scenes & Vignettes — Easy Group Displays
Multiply the magic with groupings.
21. The Ghostly Gathering
Group 5–7 ghost cutouts of varying sizes on a tray or shelf. Add mini pumpkins, black candles, or faux cobwebs. Instant haunted vignette—no extra crafting needed.
22. The Haunted House Silhouette
Paint a simple house shape on a large board. Glue ghost cutouts in the windows or floating above. Hang it as wall art. Storytelling decor in under 30 minutes.
23. The Floating Phantoms
Tie ghost cutouts to fishing line and hang them at different heights from a driftwood branch or curtain rod. They’ll “float” in the breeze. Ethereal, dreamy, and perfect for windows.
24. The Pumpkin Patch Pals
Place ghost cutouts among your painted wood slice pumpkins. Add a sign: “Ghost & Gourd Friends.” A seasonal friendship that’s too sweet to spook.
Functional Phantoms — Useful Ghosts
Decor that works? Yes, please.
25. The Napkin Ring Ghost
Cut a small ghost shape from thin wood, sand smooth, and cut a slit in the belly to hold a napkin. Set at each place for a Halloween dinner. Functional, festive, and fast.
26. The Coaster Ghost
Paint ghost faces on 4” wood slices or squares. Seal with waterproof Mod Podge. Protect your tables while adding personality. Sell in sets of 4 for $20 at craft fairs!
27. The Bookmark Specter
Cut thin ghost shapes from wood veneer or balsa wood. Paint faces, add a tassel. Slide into your October reads. A gift that’s both useful and charming.
28. The Plant Marker Ghost
Paint tiny ghost faces on wood stakes. Label your herbs: “Sage,” “Thyme,” or “Witch’s Brew.” Stick them in potted plants. Your basil just got a Halloween upgrade.
Light-Up Legends — Illuminated Ideas
Add glow for instant ambiance.
29. The Tea Light Terrors
Place wood slice ghosts in front of battery-operated tea lights. The light shines through, casting soft, ghostly shadows. Safe, simple, and serene.
30. The Luminard Ghost
Cut a ghost shape and place it against a glass jar with a tea light inside. The ghost glows from within. Line them on your porch for a welcoming (not scary) path.
31. The Flickering Phantom
Pair ghost cutouts with flickering LED candles. The moving light makes the ghosts seem alive. Perfect for mantels, bathrooms, or bedside tables.
32. The Glow-in-the-Dark Ghoul
Paint ghost cutouts with glow-in-the-dark paint. Charge with a lamp, then watch them softly illuminate your room at night. Magical for kids’ rooms or hallways.
Kid-Friendly Creations — Simple & Safe
Fun for little hands (and big ones too).
The Stick-On Sticker Ghost
Let kids apply pre-cut ghost stickers to wood blocks. No mess, no stress—just instant pride.
The Wooden Spoon Specter
Kids love painting faces on spoons. Hang them or stick them in play-dough “graves.”
The Block Stack Ghost
Let kids glue blocks, then paint the whole stack as a ghost. Builds fine motor skills + creativity.
The Rock & Wood Ghost
Glue a painted rock (head) to a wood block (body). Go on a rock hunt first—half the fun!
The Speedy Crafter’s Toolkit — Maximum Impact, Minimum Time
Pre-Cut Wood Sources
- Craft stores: Michaels, Hobby Lobby (wood slices, blocks, shapes)
- Online: Amazon, Etsy (“unfinished wood ghosts”)
- Hardware stores: Ask for free cuts on 1x4s
The 3-Paint Palette
You only need:
- White acrylic (base)
- Black acrylic (details)
- Clear matte sealant (protection)
Quick-Dry Techniques
Use fast-dry acrylics (like Apple Barrel). Speed up drying with a hair dryer on low—30 seconds per coat.
Batch Processing
Paint 10 wood slices at once. Let dry. Add faces to all 10. You’ll finish 10 ghosts in the time it takes to make 2.
Summary: Instant Halloween Spirit
You don’t need hours, tools, or talent to create Halloween magic.
With these 32 easiest ghost wood crafts, you can transform your home in under an hour—using just paint, glue, and a little imagination.
So pick 2–3 favorites. Clear the kitchen table. And let your ghosts do the haunting.
After all, the best Halloween decor isn’t perfect… it’s present, playful, and made with joy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What’s the absolute easiest project for a complete beginner?
A: Painting a ghost face on a pre-sanded wood slice. One piece, two colors, 10 minutes.
Q: Can I make these without any power tools?
A: Yes! Use pre-cut wood from craft stores or household items like spoons, clothespins, and spools.
Q: What type of paint dries fastest for these projects?
A: Acrylic craft paint. Speed it up with a hair dryer on low heat.
Q: How can I make my ghost crafts weatherproof for outdoors?
A: Use exterior-grade paint and seal with outdoor polyurethane spray.
Q: What’s the best way to hang these ghost crafts?
A: Lightweight: removable adhesive strips. Heavy: sawtooth hangers or command hooks.